A Meaningful Conversation on Consent
On 17th October 2025, our youth club took a thoughtful pause from its usual energy to focus on consent, communication, and understanding personal boundaries. We were pleased to welcome Emma from Rape Crisis Grampian, who returned to lead another session, this time tailored to our young people aged 11 to 15.

Emma has worked with our older group before, and she carries a calm, steady presence that immediately puts everyone at ease. The young people settled in quickly, ready to listen and ready to speak.

Opening Up Difficult Conversations with Honesty and Care
The session began with a simple question: “What does consent mean to you?”
It was enough to spark a room-wide conversation.

The young people talked about permission, comfort, pressure, and the moments when saying “yes” or “no” feels easy, and when it doesn’t. Emma guided them gently, helping them explore how power, fear of judgment, or uncertainty can influence someone’s ability to give genuine consent.

What stood out most was how willing the young people were to think aloud. They asked sharp questions, challenged each other respectfully, and showed a maturity that made the room feel safe and open.

The group then took part in an activity that encouraged practical thinking.

Together, they came up with different questions someone might ask to check how another person is feeling, simple, everyday check-ins that help build healthy habits of communication. They also discussed how “yes,” “no,” or “I’m not sure” might show up in real life, sometimes without words at all.

The conversations were thoughtful. Many recognised how easily misunderstandings can happen when people assume rather than ask. Emma helped them see that consent isn’t a script, it’s something you practise by slowing down and paying attention.

Throughout the session, the young people stayed fully involved - shared personal reflections, others asked questions that helped clarify tricky situations, and a few admitted that they felt clearer and more confident after the discussion.

It was heartening to see the young people feel comfortable speaking in front of each other, something we don’t take for granted. Building confidence in these areas takes time, trust, and the right support.

Our Thanks to a Trusted Partner
We are grateful to Emma and the team at Rape Crisis Grampian for taking the time to be with our young people again. Her approach - gentle, informed, and genuinely warm, makes challenging topics feel manageable and meaningful.

Sessions like this, is exactly the kind of supportive learning environment we aim to build - give young people tools they can carry into friendships, school life, and their own developing sense of self. They learn to communicate with respect, to think before acting, and to recognise their own boundaries as well as those of others.